Well I didn't think it would happen, but thanks to a bit of luck and some generous friends and family I actually made it out to the 22nd Bob Jones Memorial Dart Tournament. Considering that the biggest dart tournament I had attended up to that point was the Darts Ontario 'Zone Shoots', I must say I think I picked a good one as my first real tournament to attend.

CFB Trenton and the Duke

While at first I thought the tournament was hosted near the base, it turns out I was wrong, and it is actually on base in the 'Astra Lounge, home of the 'Earl of Bessborough' a decent little pub, that I think was staffed with civilians, but can't say for 100%. CFB (Canadian Forces base) Trenton is home to 8 Wing, which provides the Canadian military with strategic lift capability, as well as SAR (Search and Rescue) operations. The Bar is in fact named for the 9th Earl of Bessborough, who as Governor General laid the cornerstone at the base's opening in 1931, and was opened by 8 Wing Commander Colonel Colin Keiver as an 'all ranks' social house where members could talk and interact.On this weekend however, the Earl was taken over by dart players, and it was quite a buzz and quite a decent sized crowd. It was also for the most part a pretty friendly crowd. I knew that people were there to play, and/or hang out with their friends in the down times so I didn't make any real attempts to hob nob, but just about everyone had a smile for me.

The Big Names

Well yes, and in fact quite a few of them. I am not sure I actually kept track of them, but among the Canadian players was darting legend Bob Sinnaeve, Ross Snook, Maria Mason, Adam Stella, Dave Cameron, Trish Grzesik, and of course three time world champion John Part. (and more!) There were also a few American players I recognized, but since all of their names start with 'K' I am embarrassed to say I forgot who was who. Of all of them, I think I liked watching Grzesik throw the most, as there is an awesome smoothness to her throw. Although I must say that I find it cool that my friend Ethel finished ahead of her. Go Teng!

The Big Guy (John Part of course)

I watched one of John Parts matches (which he won) and let me tell you, he was in a grouchy mood. To his credit he did say that he only complained when he won (because if you complain when you lose you're an asshole). i wish I could have asked him about some of the stuff he was complaining about, as I think he likely had a valid point, but at the time he really wasn't in a listening mood.By the end of the event Part was in a better mood, as I even snapped a picture of him with some friends of mine from Toronto, who had also attended. Well, grouchy or not, it was still cool to see a legend, not just of Canadian darts, but of darts history, play the game. ​I wonder if they'll ever give him the Order of Canada?

The Men's Final

The men's final pitted Adam Stella against 'Wicked Wannabe' Shawn Clohecy. This had been a great weekend for Stella, who had won the mixed triples, the men's four man, and the men's doubles and placed second in the singles cricket. For the final, he would have to settle for another 2nd place, as Clohecy took the day. "My heart wont stop pounding" he commented afterwards, his face clearly showing his elation at having won the event.

One thing that I did find strange, was that I was among about only ten or so people that watched the final. I suppose people have their own lives and want to get going back home, but it also strikes me, that for some their interest ends when it is no longer about them. This is my first of these tournaments, so I can't really judge, or say for certain that next time I wont be one of those people that leave once I'm knocked out, but I do think that as a sport darts in Canada, if it is to flourish must be come to be known more as a spectator sport than it is a participant sport.

Well, either way, I'm glad I stuck around to watch. Full credit, by the way to Lakeside bound Dave Cameron who not only stuck around, but marked the final. I spoke briefly with Cameron a few times during the event and he seemed a gent and a fine ambassador for Canadian darts.

Adam Stella Reveals the Shocking Truth About Jeff Smith.

Adam Stella was gracious enough to take a few moments to do a quick interview for Dart Board Chats. It isn't long, but what what we learn is a shocker for the world of darts.==============================================================DBC: Hi Adam, I have a darts blog and was wondering if you could do a super quick, one question interview?

Adam Stella: yeah sure, go for it!

DBC: Is it true that you taught Jeff Smith everything he knows about darts?

Adam Stella: 100%! I'm also glad that you recognize that fact! ==========================================================As you can see, all in good fun, but expect a bit longer (and a tiny bit) more serious of an interview in the next edition of the blog!

Just How Did I Do?

All things considered, i did alright actually. My first and foremost plan was just to go there and have fun and soak everything in, and on that mission accomplished.My other plan was to keep my nerve throughout, and push comes to shove I think I mostly did that as well. Hindsight being 20/20 though, next time around I would do one major thing differently. That is, get a proper sleep the night before the main singles shoot. To start the shoot, well I was doing fine, great even, but then I just ran out of gas and any ability whatsoever to focus. I think that this was the difference between making it out of the round robin group and not. I felt disappointed, knowing that I could have done better, and that disappointment has lingered with me for a few days, but now I know what to do better for next time. As far as playing tournaments vs playing league darts, well if I have to choose I'll take the tournaments. Ok and join me next time where we will have a Full Adam Stella Interview!

Well, thanks to a couple of good friends and some unexpected good grace from the lovely folks at the Canada Revenue Agency it looks like I will be able to go to the Bob Jones tournament after all. So, now that I have a room booked, and train tickets paid for what exactly is my 'mission' once I get there?Well, as I have said before, first and foremost I want to go there and soak in the experience and enjoy it all, to get my feet wet. That being said, it isn't that I don't want to compete or be competitive. I am 110% capable of throwing darts that would make me competitive, I know this, because I do it in practice and I make my practices pretty tough. Except, we know that it is hard to replicate what we do in practice while in an actual game, under the sway of nerves and adrenaline.The biggest secret, I have been finding, as far as dealing with nerves in darts, (other than making sure the practices are tough enough) is simply exposure to the things and circumstances that illicit the response and giving yourself the chance to adapt and adjust. Hence, my 'soak in the experience' idea.Yet, maybe there is a little bit more I can do, to make this experience enjoyable, as well as an opportunity to learn and grow stronger as a player. I would sincerely love to show up and throw the best darts of my life, and who knows I might, but if I EXPECT that of myself, then I am just setting myself up for disaster. On the oche, and on each and every throw I can be focused and dialed in as I can possibly be, but to even start thinking about outcomes before a dart is even thrown is maybe of itself a pitfall. So my missions to myself (should I choose to accept it) is to take everything I have learned about mental excellence in sport (and darn tootin' this is a sport!) and try my best to apply it here.

So what will this entail... ?

The ever present 'have fun' (and I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't)

Don't 'time travel' to either possible outcomes/consequences or dwell on past performances.

Stay in the moment and on task.

Recognize when my focus slips, and without chastising myself, bring myself back into focus.

Be oblivious to mistakes, errors or bad throws. Dwelling on them only hurts me.

Assess all the possible distractions that are there that are beyond my control and see them for what they are, so I can focus on my job, on what I can control.

Accept that the event is an opportunity to learn and grow and not a 'test'.

View my opponents as a resource. The best teaching tool I could possibly have.

Play with confidence, speak and listen with humility and an open mind.

Fear no one.

Believe (both the 'will be' and the 'I am')

Go in with much to learn and nothing to prove.

Remember that even with the worst nerves I know how to keep my focus and make the shot.

when I'm on 119 don't go 20's . ;-)

OK, well possibly a tall order once I am 'in the heat of battle' but that is what I am going to try to do. Of course, I can't predict, so really I will just have to take this as a first step in to new territory, and well, just have fun with it.

So what do you all think of my mental checklist? Anything I'm missing? Anything you just plain ol' disagree with?

Also, I am going regardless, but if you still wanted to support my trip it would still help a lot and be greatly appreciated.

The fact of the matter is, that no matter how much i do in practice I am not going to get truly better, not going to grow, until I challenge myself in real games, against real and serious players, in real pressure situations.

This means going out to some of the bigger and ranked tournaments, and maybe getting knocked around a little, but also developing that important wealth of experience. To improve my bottle as much as my ballistics.

As you all know, however I have had a terrible string of bad luck with my health and my life.
This means either giving up on going to any tournaments at least for this year, or trying to find alternate means of funding.

So, I have made a gofundme campaign. if you want to help and are able to , i would really appreciate it.
I would also be open to any ideas people might have for me to raise funds.

-== Dave's First Big Dart Tournament ==-
​
I am certainly willing to host advertising or guest blog space here. but I think you all know you wont be reaching billions of people, but the space is there if that is what it takes to get me there.

I will be the first one to tell you that there are more worthy causes to give to, especially when most of us are on tight budgets, but I also know I'm not going to get there without help.

As of writing this I have at least one donation and not super far that I need to go, so I hope you all might consider getting me there a little bit at a time.

Oh and if by some miracle I'm the only one to not eat the Tuna casserole and I win the singles competition at this event, I would automatically be qualified for the World Masters, where the really big kids in darts play.

There is a widget below where you donate if you wish. If you cannot contribute, please consider sharing this campaign. I don't have a lot of time.